Method and apparatus for printing three-dimensional structures with image information

Abstract

A method and system for printing 3D structures using 2D monochromatic images (for example, greyscale images) is provided. The method can include instructing a printing device to print a 2D monochromatic image using print material in a reservoir known to contain a structural print material to create a three-dimensional structure. The method can further include instructing the printing device to print a 2D color image using color print material in a reservoir known to contain color print material, thereby forming an inner or an outer color layer of the three-dimensional structure.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of printing with a printing system, comprising:
 filling a first color print material reservoir of a printing device with a structural print material;   receiving from a processing system connected to the printing device reservoir identification information corresponding to the first color print material reservoir;   receiving from the processing system reservoir identification information corresponding to a second color print material reservoir of the printing device filled with a color print material;   receiving from the processing system monochromatic image information with the reservoir identification information corresponding to the first and second color print material reservoirs, wherein the monochromatic image information corresponds to a monochromatic image, wherein the monochromatic image information includes a shade level for each pixel of the monochromatic image;   receiving from the processing system color image information corresponding to a color image;   instructing the printing device to print the monochromatic image information using the first color print material reservoir; and   instructing the printing device to print the color image information using the second color print material reservoir,
 wherein a three-dimensional structure is formed as the printing device prints the monochromatic image information using the structural print material from the first color print material reservoir; and 
 wherein a two-dimensional color layer is formed as the printing device prints the color image information using the color print material from the second color print material reservoir. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each location on an upper surface of the three-dimensional structure has a corresponding pixel in the monochromatic image information; and   wherein a height of the three-dimensional structure at each location is determined by the shade level for the corresponding pixel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the height of the three-dimensional structure at each location and the shade level for the corresponding pixel have a linear relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the height of the three-dimensional structure at each location and the shade level for the corresponding pixel have a non-linear relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of instructing the printing device to print the monochromatic image information using the first color print material reservoir comprises calculating an amount of print material to deposit at each location of the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure based on the shade level for the corresponding pixel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the printing device prints the color image information after printing the monochromatic image information to create an outer color layer of the three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the printing device prints the color image information before printing the monochromatic image information to create an inner color layer of the three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the printing device receives color image information for a second color image; and
 wherein the printing device prints the color image information corresponding to the second color image after printing the monochromatic image information to create an outer color layer of the three-dimensional structure.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the three-dimensional structure and outer color layer are printed onto an article. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the article is part of an article of footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monochromatic image is a greyscale image. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises a step before instructing the printing device to print the monochromatic image information using the first color print material reservoir, wherein the step comprises determining whether the monochromatic image information is intended to be used for printing the three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining whether the monochromatic image information is intended to be used for printing the three-dimensional structure is based on at least one of a parameter and metadata received with the monochromatic image information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining whether the monochromatic image information is intended to be used for printing the three-dimensional structure is based on whether the monochromatic image is a greyscale image.